WHY SAINTS SHOULD REJOICE IN OUR GOD

Psalm 33:1–22 KJV 1900

1 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: For praise is comely for the upright. 2 Praise the Lord with harp: Sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing unto him a new song; Play skilfully with a loud noise. 4 For the word of the Lord is right; And all his works are done in truth. 5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, The thoughts of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; And the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 13 The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men. 14 From the place of his habitation he looketh Upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth all their works. 16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: A mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: Neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, Because we have trusted in his holy name. 22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, According as we hope in thee.

Intro: Psalm 33 is a special Psalm. It is one of only four Psalms that lacks a title. The others are Psalm 1; 2, and Psalm 10. All the other Psalms have some sort of title. Many commentators believe that this Psalm is linked to Psalm 32. In that Psalm, David praises the Lord for forgiving his sins. Psalm 32 closes with a command to rejoice, v. 11. Psalm 33 opens with the same command.

While these two Psalms are very different in their content, they are both centered on the theme of praise. In Psalm 32 God is to be praised because He forgives sin. In Psalm 33 God is to be praised because He is in control. Both of those themes make God worthy to be praised.

In verse 1, the saints of God are commanded to “rejoice”. This word means “to be overcome; to cry out, to give a ringing cry, to shout for joy.” This is a command for loud, vocal praise to be lifted up to the Lord.

• Verse 1 also tells us that “praise is comely for the upright”. The word “comely” means “beautiful”. There are many emotions that can grip our hearts. We can be overcome with pride, hate, malice, anger, envy, unforgiveness, and a host of other harmful emotions. No emotion is as elegant, as beneficial, or as beautiful as a heart that is filled with praise for the Lord.

• Verse 2 calls on us to use our musical skills to praise Him. When instruments are played for His glory, it honors Him because music is another form of praise to the Lord.

• Verse 3 calls on us to “sing unto Him a new song”. The idea of a “new song” means that we are to be thoughtful and we are to exercise our minds to find new ways to praise Him. When you consider the fact that Lam. 3:22–23 says, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” It should be clear that we have ample reason every day to exalt Him for His grace, His blessings and His goodness to us.

• Verse 3 also calls on us to praise Him in such a way that they are heard by others. That does not mean that we are to praise Him so that others will see us, but we are to praise Him so that others will be aware of Who He is and what He has done for His people.

Now, having commanded us to praise the Lord, the Psalmist now gives us the reasons why we are to praise Him. I want to walk through this Psalm today and preach on the subject Why Saints Should Rejoice In Our God.

I. v. 4–9 WE SHOULD REJOICE IN HIS WORD

A. v. 4a God’s Word Is Precious—The word “right” has the idea of “upright, straight, correct”. This word reminds us that God’s Word sets the standard for righteousness and morality. The Word of God is like a compass that guides the people of God through the desert of this world.

All around us we see the results of abandoning the Word of God. Our society has been cast adrift upon the sea of time without a rudder. Our nation, and the world as a whole, has abandoned the Ten Commandments, the Great Commandment, and every other precept of God. The obvious result of sinful man’s foolish decision to abandon the Word of God is rampant immorality, wickedness and evil in this world.

Those who read the Word, honor the Word and live by the Word, knowing how precious the Word of God is. They say with the Psalmist, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” Psa. 119:105. They also know the truth of Pro. 6:23, which says, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”

The saints of God have a rudder as they sail the uncertain seas of life. We have a pattern after which we can live our lives. From His Word we can discern His will for the course of our lives and we can find out how we are to live day by day.

His Word is precious. We should praise Him for it!

B. v. 4b–5 God’s Word Is Personal—In His Word we learn about the Lord Himself. His Word is His revelation of Himself to the world. We learn that He does everything He does in “truth”, v. 4. That word carries the idea of “steadfastness”. The text tells us in verse 5 that God “loveth righteousness” and judgment”.

This reminds us that He will bless those who honor His Word and He will judge those who abandon His Word. Verse 5 also teaches us that God’s goodness can be seen in all the world around us.

All these truths teach us that the Word of God is a revelation of the Person of God. How else could a holy, transcendent, eternal God reveal Himself to man? It would be like us trying to communicate with the ants in an anthill. We are so removed from their experience that we could not possibly communicate with them on our level.

God so longed to reveal Himself to humanity that He condescended to reveal Himself in the pages of a Book. Not just any book! God has chosen to reveal Himself in the pages of the Word of God, John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. We should praise Him for His Word because it reveals the nature of God to us!

C. v. 6–9 God’s Word Is Powerful—In these verses the Psalmist reminds us that everything we see around us was spoken into existence by the Word of God. Everything that is visible; everything that is invisible; everything that is large; everything that is small; everything that is near; and everything that is far came into existence through the Word of God.

In Gen. 1:3 God spoke for the first time. When He spoke light appeared out of the darkness. All through Genesis 1 God kept speaking and great things kept appearing. His Word had power then, and His Word still has power today. Every promise will be fulfilled. Our actions will be judged based on His commands. The Word of God is filled with power, glory and hope.

Listen to the testimony of His Word about His Word.

• “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,” Heb. 4:12.

• “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven,” Psa 119:89.

• “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works,” 2 Tim. 3:16–17.

We should praise Him for His Word because it is infused with divine power! It will stand though the entire world stand against it, Isa. 55:11.

I. We Should Rejoice In His Word

II. v. 10–12 WE SHOULD REJOICE IN HIS WILL

A. v. 10 God’s Will Is Dominate—Men can make their plans and devise their schemes, but in the end, God’s will is going to be accomplished. If you look at all the maneuvering of the nations, it is possible to become filled with fear. When you think of the militant regimes in Iran and North Korea; the power, the military and financial resources of China; the belligerent attitude of Russia; and the threat posed to peaceful people by radical Islam, it may seem to us that the world is out of control.

The foolish decisions by our own government leave us wondering how things will play out in time and history. We need not fear, because our God is in control of all things. He will have the final word, because His will is dominant. As the Psalmist said, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased,” Psa. 115:3.

B. v. 11 God’s Will Is Determined—The things that occur in this world are all part of our Lord’s plan for the ages. Nothing takes place that is not a part of His divine plan. I know that doesn’t sit well with a lot of people in our day. We want to be in control. We want to think that our thoughts and opinions matter. We want the world to revolve around us and our desires. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but what you think, want, or plan doesn’t matter in the least. God has determined what will take place in this world and that is what is going to happen.

• “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it,” Isa. 46:9–11.

• “Whatsoever the LORD pleased,that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places,” Psa. 135:6.

• “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Dan. 4:35.

That concept bothers some folks. It comforts me! I am reminded day by day that my God is in control of all things. That allows us to rest in His providence and trust Him to make all things work out as they should for my good and His glory, Rom. 8:28.

C. v. 12 God’s Will Is Desirable—The Psalmist mentions the nations that honor God. He says they will be blessed. This is clearly seen in the histories of America and Great Britain. Both of our nations were ruled by a series of men who, while not perfect, at least acknowledged God and declared their dependence upon Him. Now that both nations have declared their independence from God, we can see the results all around us. We have abandoned God and He has abandoned us to our choice.

There is a lesson in this for the individual as well. Those who respond to God’s will by submitting to Him will be blessed.

For man to make his plans without consulting the will of God is to reject Him as Creator. Isa. 29:15–16 says, “Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?”

Listen also to what Paul had to say about this in Rom. 9:19–21, “Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”

So, knowing and living by the will of God is a good pattern for living. It is a recipe for blessing, while rejecting His will and going against His plan is a recipe for judgment and spiritual disaster.

So, we should praise God that He is a Sovereign God and that His will is going to be accomplished in earth and Heaven, no matter how hard the devil or fallen man works against Him!

I. We Should Rejoice In His Word

II. We Should Rejoice In His Will

III. v. 13–19 WE SHOULD REJOICE IN HIS WATCHING

A. v. 13–15 God’s Watching Is Absolute—Our God is in Heaven, but His eyes are on the affairs of man. From where He sits, He sees everything that takes place. He sees it all. There is no deed, no thought, no sin, or good work that can occur without His intimate knowledge, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do,” Heb 4:13.

• God knows every deed, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good,” Pro. 15:3.

• God knows every thought, “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off,” Psa. 139:2.

• God knows every motive behind every action, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings,” Jer. 17:10.

• God hears every idle word, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment,” Matt. 12:36.

He knows everything there is to know and nothing can be hidden from Him. That is a sobering thought, but it does showcase His power and why He is worthy of our praise!

B. v. 16–17 God’s Watching Is Aware—God watches the heathen as they make their plans and set their armies in array. He sees their vain efforts to alter His plans and seek to obtain their own salvation through dominating their enemies. He sees them as they live for this world and give no thought to the world to come. These two verses are just a reminder that God knows what the wicked are up to. Sometimes I think we think He forgets, but He never does! He sees it all and one day He will judge them according to their works.

C. v. 18–19 God’s Watching Is Affectionate—God has just told us that the destinies of nations are in His hands. The decisions that will determine the course of this world are not made in Washington, Moscow or Beijing. The decisions that will affect the course of this world are made in Heaven by the sovereign God Who occupies the throne as the Ruler of all things. But, while God sovereignly controls everything that takes place in His creation, He still has time for the individual.

The God Who controls all things takes an intimate interest in your life. His “eye” is on those who “fear Him” and upon those who “hope in His mercy”. Those individuals who have looked to the Lord for their soul’s salvation are the recipients of His tender watch care and of His promise in verse 19 that He will secure them and supply them. He will take care of His Own, Matt. 6:25–33.

He sees everything that happens to you. He sees all the pain. He sees all the problems. He sees all the attacks of your enemies. He sees the hurts, the fears, the valleys and the sorrows. Nothing escapes His gaze!

While a lost world lives in fear, the people of God can rest in the arms of divine sovereignty knowing that their God will take care of them. His eye is on your life and He knows more about your needs than you do! He will not fail you. He will not desert you. He loves you and He will take care of you until you join Him in glory, Psa. 37:25, 28; Heb. 13:5. He is worthy to be praised for the fact that He watches over all things, especially the needs of His people!

Conc: The Psalmist closes this Psalm by expressing his resolve to continue trusting in the Lord. We can rest in His Word. We can rest in His Will. We can rest in His Watching. As our trust in Him deepens, our ability to rest in Him grows. And, when we are resting in Him, we can rejoice in spite of everything that is going on around us.

We serve a God Who is worthy to be praised! He deserves the uninhibited praises of His people. He deserves our best songs, our loudest shouts, and our devoted service. He is worthy to be praised and we are way behind in the business of praising Him. We allow other things to cloud our thinking and hide His face. The Psalmist wants us to take a fresh look at Him today so that we might be filled with praise for Him.

• Has the Lord touched you in some area of your life?

• Are you praising Him like He deserves?

• Have you become distracted by some issue so that you have lost your focus on Him?

• Do you need to thank Him for His Word, His Will and His Watching?

• Do you need to bring some sin to Him in repentance?

• Do you need to seek His help in some matter?

• Do you need to come before Him and seek Him in worship?

• If He has spoken to you on any level, please mind Him and let Him have His way in your heart and life.